Insect-destroyer.



No. 676,34l. Patentedlune ll, |90I.

y v L. RICARD.

INSEGT DESTROYER.

(Application filed Feb. 23,- 1901.):

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No. 676,34l. Patented lune Il, |901.

L. RICARD.

lNsEcT DESTROYER.

(Application led Feb. 23, 1901.-.) V (H0 Modal.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 A y ir j 1x @6 ,M gismiilmrlunuunull-lulnluMilam-Hi 4&4

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No. 676,34I. Patented lune Il, I90I.'

L. RICARD; Y.

INSVECT DESTROYER.

(Application filed Feb.` 23, 1901.),

(No Model.) 4 Sheds-Sheet 3.

No. 676,'34I. Patented lune Il, I90l. L. RICARD.

msEcT DESTROYER.

(Appuacionmed Feb. 2s, 1901.) (No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet` 4.

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NTED STATS" PATENT Gratien.

ALOUIS RICARD, OF GREENBAY, VISCONSIN, ASSIGNOR TO WILLIAM LARSEN, OFSAME PLACE.

lNSECT-DESTROYER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 676,341, dated June 11, 191. Application filed February 23, 1901. Serial No. 48,526. (Nomodali) T0 @ZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, LOUIS RICARD, a citizen of theUnited States,residing at Greenbay, in the county of Brown and State of Wisconsin,have invented certain new and useful Im- In industries dependent uponcrops serious Y losses are frequently met with by reason of insectravages. Particularly is this the case where the plants are of asucculent nature, such as peas and beans, which are troubled with aphis.This invention aims to destroy the insects and prevent their propagationby providing apparatus of novel construction, easy of manipulation, andeffective in result for fumigating the plants.

In its general construction the machine comprises a truck, a furnace forthe conversion of an insecticide into fumes or vapor, means for thecreation of a' forced draft, which is essential to the delivery of thein-l sect-destroying vapor to the plants, a distributer for the insectkilling fumes and smoke, a hood for holding the vapor and smoke incontact with the plants, and adjusting means for raising and loweringand lengthening and shortening Ithe hood, as required to meet existingcondition of growth and nature and quantity of insects to beexterminated.

The invention also consists ofthe novel features, details ofconstruction, and combination of the parts, which hereinafter will bemore fully disclosed and finally claimed, and for this purpose and alsoto acquire a knowledge of the merits of the invention and the structuraldetails of the means whereby the results are attained reference is to behad to the appended description and the drawings hereto attached.

While the essential and characteristic features of the invention arenecessarily susceptible ofinodiiication, still the preferred embodimentof the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which-Figure l is a longitudinal section of a machine especially constructedfor attaining the objects of this invention, the same being taken on theline X X of Fig.I 4. Fig. 2 is a rear view taken on the line Y'Y ofFig. 1. Fig. 3 is a side elevation of j the machine, showing thesupplemental truck in position and the hood extended, a portion of thelatter being broken away. Fig. 4 is a top plan view of the machine, asillustrated in Fig. 3. Fig. isan enlarged longitudinal section of anendA portion of the distributer. Fig. 6 is a detail section of thekeeper and adjustingbar on vthe line 6 6 of Fig. 5. Fig. 7 isalongitudinal section of the distributer, the central portion beingbroken away. Fig. 8 is a perspective viewr of the frame of the maintruck and the adjustable frame cooperating therewith. Fig. 9 is across-section on the line Z Z of Fig. 3. Fig. 10 is a detail perspectiveview of a rear-,corner portion of the hood. l

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the followingdescription and indicated in all the Views of the drawings by the salmereference characters.

The truck for supporting the component parts of the machine may be ofany desired construction best adapted for the purpose and may beimpelled over the field by `horse or other power. As shown, the truckcomprises an axle 1, ground-Wheels 2A, and a frame 3, the latter beingsecured to the axle in any selected way. The axle is preferably of thearched type, so as to elevate the operating parts to clear the plantsand prevent injury thereto Without requiring the use of extra largeground-Wheels. A furnace Liis mounted upon the truck and is providedwith a tighttting cover 5, secured in place by bolts 6. This furnacecomprises an ash-pit 7, a fuelgrate 8, and perforated shelf 9, uponwhich are placed one or more vessels 10 containing the material,chemical, or drug for producing the vapor, smoke, or fumes to besubsequently used as aninsecticideforextermination of the aphis or otherinsect to be killed. The several compartments of the furnace formed bythe grate 8 and shelf 9 are accessible by means of doors. Thedistributer 11 is connected with the upper portion or chamber 12 of thefurnace by means of pipes 13 or in any desired way which will admit ofthe fumes IOO and smoke being conveyed from the furnace to thedistributer for application to the plantsA to be treated. Thisdistributer may be of any forni, and, as shown, consists of a pipe ofsuitable length having perforations 14in its lower portion, throughwhich the smoke, fumes, and vapors escape. The perforations 14 graduallyincrease in diameter or size from the eX- tremities of the pipes 23toward a middle point, so as to insure a uniform distribution of theinsect-killing vapors. In order to admit of the lengthening andshortening of the distributer, its terminal portions 15 have telescopicor adjustable connection therewith, said end portions havingrperforations to register with corresponding perforations in the outerend portions of the main pipe, so as to insure a delivery of fumes atthe overlapped parts of the main pipe and the adjustable sections 15.

`The pipes 13, connecting the upper portion of the furnace with thedistributer 11, involve a sectional construction, the sections beingjointed at 16 and 17, so as to admit of the raising and lowering of thedistributer, as indicated by the full and dotted lines in Fig. 1. Thejoints 16 and 17 may be of any construction which will admit of theturning of the sections, whereby the desired result is attained. Thedistributer is adapted to be raised and lowered and held in an adj ustedposition by any means suitable for thisvpurpose, and those devisedconsist of a shaft 1S, arms 19, projected from the end portions of theshaft and attached at their outer or rear ends to the distributer, alever 20, attached to the shaft 18, and detent mechanism, the sameconsisting of a toothed segment 21 and a hand-latch 22, the latter beingapplied to the lever 2O and adapted t0 coperate with the teeth of thesegment 21. The pipes 13 have branched connection with the distributeru1l, as shown at 23, whereby the fumes are supplied to the distributerat a number of points, the purpose being to secure a uniform delivery ofthe insect-killing vapor. It is essential to create forced draft to thefurnace and a blast through the distributer in order to maintain asupply of smoke and fumes when the machine is in operation, and to meetthis contingency means for creating a blast of air are provided and maybe a bellows, sand-blower, pump, or other contrivance generally employedin the mechanic arts for this purpose. As shown in the drawings, abellows 24 is provided for each pipe 13 and is operated from aground-wheel by means presently to be described. A flexible tube or pipe25 connects the bellows with the pipe 13 and is of a length to admit ofthe vertical adjustment of the distributer. The nozzle 26, applied tothe outer end of the exible tube 25, enters the lower end of the pipe 13a short distance from the branch connection 23 and creates a suction orvacuum in said pipe 13, whereby air is forced to pass through thefurnace to support combustion of the fuel,'and this air in its passagethrough the furnace becomes impregnated with the fumes of the chemicals,drugs, or insecticide, so as to insure the attainment of the desired endwhen applied to plants. The shaft 27 is journaled to a convenientportion of the platform and is provided with a crank portion28,connected by pitmen 29 with the bellows for operation thereof. Asprocket-chain 30 connects the sprocket- Wheel 31 of the shaft 27A witha sprocket-wheel 32, attached to the groundwheel. It will be understoodthat each bellows will be operated by independent means from aground-wheel, the connections being substantially alike. Hence adetailed description of one only is given.

The hood is formed of canvas and comprises a top portion 33, side fiaps34, and a rear Hap 35. The canvas 33 is wound upon a roller 36, mountedso as to be raised and lowered according to the height of the plants tobe treated. Pivoted arms 37, connected at their upper forward ends tothe frame in any of the usual ways, support the roller 36, which isjournaled thereto. Curved bars 38 extend upward from the pivoted arms37, and their concave edges are toothed to mesh with pinions 39, securedto the ends of a shaft 40, adapted to be rotated by means of a crank orhandle 41. `A pawl 42 or equivalent detent cooperates with the shaft 40to prevent rotation thereof when desired, so as to hold the roller 36and hood at the required elevation. This pawl 42 is adapted to engage'with a tooth of one of the pinions 39. The free end of the rcanvas ortextile 33 is adapted to engage With the distributer 11, preferably bymeans of hooks 43. From what has been said it will be readily understoodthat the height of the canvas can be regulated by vertically adjustingthe roller 36 and the distributer 11. The side flaps 34 and the reariiap 35 have adjustable connection with the top4 33 either by meansofbuttons and buttonholes, hooks and eyes, or in any Way which will admitof the lengthening and shortening of the fiaps, according to thedistance of the canvas or textile 33 from the ground, thereby preventingthe dragging of the flaps.

It is desirable to vary the length of the hood in order to expedite theoperation and insure the destruction of the insects, and forthis'purpose a frame has adjustable connection with the truck andconsists of longitudinal bars 44 and transverse connecting-bars 45. Thelongitudinal bars'44 are slidable in keepers 46, applied to the side'bars of the truckframe, suitable means, as pins 47, being provided tosecure the bars 44 in an adjusted position. The roller 36 and itsmountings are attached to the rear ends of the bars 44. Hence when saidbars are moved rearward the distance between the roller 36 and thedistr'ubuter 11 increases and the length of the hood is proportionatelyextended. By this means IOO IIO

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the hood can be varied in length to meet any condition, as mayberequired.

Where the hood is to be lengthened to twenty o r thirty feet, orthereabout, it is vexpedient to provide a supplemental truck forsupportingvthe rear end, and this truck is mounted upon caster-wheels 4Sto admit of the machine making a short turn when at the end of the fieldand preliminary to recrossing. The frame of this supplemental truckcomprises longitudinal bars 49 and transverse bars 50 and is adapted tomake detachable connection with the main truck, preferably by means of ahook and eye 5.1 and 52. The transverse bars 50 are extensible, and forthis purpose are provided with foldable end pieces 53, hinged thereto.When it is required to decrease the width of the hood, the end pieces 53are folded upon the bars 50, and when a hood of maximum width isrequired said end pieces are turned outward to aline with the bars 50. Atransverse bar 54 is located at the outer or rear end of the frame ofthe supplemental truck, and the canvas or textile 33 is adapted to haveits outer end attached thereto when the supplemental truck is inposition. This transverse bar 54 is attached to arms 37, pivoted to thebars 49 and adjustable by means of curved bars 38EL and pinions 39a in amanner similar to corresponding parts carrying the roller 36 andhereinbefore described in detail. The intermediate portion of the canvasor textile 33 is supported by means of hangers 55, which prefer-` ablyconsist of lengths of chain attached at their lower ends to the canvasand having adjustable connect-ion at their upper ends with thecross-bars 50,

In operation the machine is propelled over the field either by horse ormechanical power, and in its forward movement the blast-creatingmechanism is operated to increase a forced draft through the furnace anda positive delivery of the smoke, vapor, and fumes through thedistributer. The fire being kindledin the furnace and the chemical,drug, or other material for creating smoke, fumes, or vapors beingplaced in the compartment l2 and the cover 5 being secured upon thefurnace and the hood properlyadj usted as to width, length, and height,the smoke and fumes are collected in the hood and held in contact withthe plants, so as to kill the insects infesting the plants or vines,whereby destruction of the crop from this source is overcome.

A bar a is secured to the outer end of each telescoping section l5 andis provided in its length with indentationsb, spaced apart equal to thedistance between the perforations 14. This bar is slidably mounted in akeeper c, attached to the body of the distributer, and is held in anadjusted position by means of a spring-actuated pin d. By having theindentations b'spaced apart a distance equal to the spaces between theperforations 14 registry of the latter opposite the overlapped portionsof the main and telescoping sections of the distributer is insured.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is l. In aninsect-destroyer, or plant-fumigator, a furnace or generator, adistributer, a pipe connecting the distributer with the furnace, meansfor vertically adjusting the distributer, an air-blast-creating device,and a flexible tube connecting the air-blast device with the pipeconnection between the distributer and furnace, substantially as and forthe purpose set forth.

2. In an insect-destroyer, a distributer comprising a body portionhaving perforations, and a telescoping section having correspondingperforations to provide for a delivery of the insecticide at theoverlapping end portions'of the main and telescopic sections, incombination with a bar attached to the telescoping section and havingindentations in its length spaced apart to correspond with the distancesbetween the perfor-ations of the telescoping section, and a pin forcooperation with the said indentations to hold the bar and telescopingsection in an adjusted position, substantially as described.

3. In an insect-destroyer or plant-fumigator, and in combination withthe distributer, and means for adjusting the same vertically, a hoodadapted to be supported at its front end by the said distributer, andmeans for adjust-ably supporting the opposite end of the hood,substantially as set forth.

4. In an insect-destroyer, and in combination with the distributer, ahood adapted to be lengthened and shortened, and supporting meanstherefor, substantially as set forth.

5. In an insect-destroyer and plant-fumigator, and in combination withthe distributer for the insecticide, a hood comprising a canvas ortextile, a roller for the said canvas to wind upon, and means foradjustably supporting the roller, whereby the length and height of thehood can be varied, substantially as set forth.

6. In an insect-destroyer, and in combination withthe truck, and acanvas or textile constituting a hood, a support for the free end of thesaid canvas, and an adjustable support for the opposite end portion ofthe canvas, and means for securing the adjustable support to the truckin the required position, substantially as set forth. 4

7. In anl insect-destroyer of the character described, and incombination with the truck, a hood adapted to be lengthened andshortened, and a support for the said hood having adjustable connectionwith the truck, substantialiy asset forth.

8. In an insect-destroyer, main and supplemental trucks, a hood oftextile material supported at its ends by the main and supplementaltrucks, and intermediate adjustable supports, substantially as setforth.

9. In an insect-destroyer of the character IOO Irc

truokfthe ktransverse bars being capable Of' described, and incombination with the main being lengthened andshortened, Y.and 'a hoodtruck, a supplemental truck having detaeh-v of textile materialsupported by the trucks able connection with the main truck, and a andadapted to have its width Varied, subhood supported by the main andsupplemental stantially as set forths trucks, substantially as setforth. In testimony whereof I alx my signature 10. In aninsect-destroyer of the character in llmce 0f WO WtnBSSeS- described,and in combination withthe main l LOUIS L; RICARD [L SI] truck, asupplemental truck Compmsmg 1onmark 'gitudinal bars and transverse barsand haw ing detachable connection with the main lVitnesses:

JEROME R. NORTH, H. O. FAIRCHILD.

